Join the Illinois Native Plant Society
The Illinois Native Plant Society depends on the support and engagement of its members to accomplish its mission. Become a member or donate to support the INPS mission.
Join or Renew MembershipDonateIllinois holds a great diversity of natural habitats and communities, from cypress swamps in the south, beech-maple forests in the east, tallgrass prairies in the central region, steep bluffs and palisades along the western rivers, bogs and wetlands in the northern counties, and numerous other unique natural communities in between. As a state, we are fortunate to have a great legacy of individuals and organizations that have devoted immense time and efforts toward the study, protection, and care of our natural resources. Please join us as we strive to uphold this legacy and share our appreciation of Illinois’ natural treasures with current and future generations.
INPS News and Events
2023 Annual Gathering
2023 Research and Survey Grant Awards Announced
Designating April 2023 as National Native Plant Month
2018 Grant Recipient Publication Announced
Proposed changes to the Illinois Endangered and Threatened Plant Species List
Native Plant Sales
Native plant gardeners in Illinois have access to dozens of plant sales across the state. In addition, there are many nurseries that specialize in native plants.
Native Plant Sales
It can be difficult to find places to purchase native plants. To solve this problem, many organizations host native plant sales, often in the spring. Search our listing of native plant sales to find one near you.
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Native Plant Nurseries
Check out our list of nurseries that supply native plants throughout Illinois and the surrounding region. While these business focus on native plants, some sell cultivars and species that are not native locally. Always ask if the plant is native to your region
learn moreChapters
There are currently seven chapters of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Chapters host programs, hold native plant sales, offer workshops, conduct field trips, and organize symposia. The Society’s Annual Gathering rotates between the chapters and gives members a chance to see vegetation and natural communities in different parts of Illinois. Members are asked to affiliate with a chapter and can choose more than one or all. Check the individual chapter pages for details regarding their calendar of events.
Northeast Chapter
The Northeast Chapter is centered in Chicagoland. From wide open prairies to deep forests, serene dunelands to vibrant marshes, this area has many plant communities to explore.
Quad Cities Chapter
The Quad Cities Chapter is centered in Rock Island, and features the diverse habitats near the Mississippi River. Come explore with us the bluff prairies, sand savannas, and woodlands of northwestern Illinois.
Kankakee Torrent Chapter
The Kankakee Torrent Chapter is centered on the Kankakee River watershed. Featuring prairies, savannas and woodlands, along with canyons, cliffs and islands that formed when the Torrent was unleashed 19,000 years ago.
Grand Prairie Chapter
The Grand Prairie Chapter is centered in the heart of the prairie state amidst what was once a vast, biodiverse grassland. This newest chapter of INPS is located in the Bloomington-Normal region.
Forest Glen Chapter
The Forest Glen Chapter is centered on the Forest Glen Preserve, in Vermilion County. Harboring a wide range of habitats from beech-maple forests, black soil prairies, sand savannas, oak-hickory forests, hill prairies and bluffs, to forested seeps
Central Chapter
The Central Chapter is centered on Springfield, straddling the divide between northern and southern plant communities with elements of both. The Great Rivers and their deeply dissected drainages are a special feature here.
Southern Chapter
The Southern chapter is centered around Carbondale. This region is home to natural communities unique in Illinois with swamps of bald cypress, floodplain forests, and cliffs and canyons.
Grant Programs
About Research Grants
The Illinois Native Plant Society Research Fund was developed to promote the conservation of Illinois native plants and communities through scientific research.
Learn moreCentral Chapter Grants
The Central Chapter offers grants to individuals or groups for support of projects that promote the conservation of Illinois native plants and natural communities.
Learn moreBlooming Botanist Grants
The Kankakee Torrent Chapter offers grants to students interested in identifying, monitoring and conserving native plants and their ecosystems.
Learn morePublications
We offer numerous publications in order to support our mission. Erigenia is our peer-reviewed scientific journal published yearly and The Harbinger is our statewide newsletter published quarterly. Additionally, some chapters publish monthly newsletters and other periodic content like guidebooks for wildflower viewing.
Erigenia
Erigenia is a peer-reviewed journal of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Erigenia is named for Erigenia bulbosa, harbinger-of-spring) one of our earliest blooming woodland plants and a species that serves as a promise of things to come. The first issue was published in August 1982.
The Harbinger
The Harbinger is the quarterly, statewide newsletter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. It contains popular articles, weblinks, botany basics, plant profiles, as well as statewide and chapter events. Past issues are available for viewing on our website.
Other Publications
View other publications, such as guides to the spring and summer wildflowers of southern Illinois.
INPS Leadership
The Illinois Native Plant Society State Governing Board includes six Executive Committee members, four at-large board members, and the seven chapter presidents.
Governing BoardAbout Us
Janine Catchpole
President
Susanne Masi
Vice-President
Emily Dangremond
Past President
Lailah Reich
Secretary
Courtney Cartney
Treasurer
Anna Braum
Membership
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